China continues to grapple with the impact of the lingering Covid-19 outbreak as official tallies catch up with recent waves of infection. The National Health Commission has disclosed new death figures covering the period from early December through mid-January, a span that coincides with the government’s decision to ease several pandemic restrictions. The evolving data landscape highlights how mortality statistics are being captured during a time of transition as policy changed and hospitals faced increasing strain.
The average age of the individuals who passed away in medical facilities stood at about 80.3 years, according to the commission’s latest briefing. This suggests a predominance of severe outcomes among older adults who were already at greater risk from respiratory illnesses and comorbidities.
Among the fatalities, roughly 90.1 percent were individuals aged 65 and older. The commission also indicated that a high share of the deaths occurred in people with underlying health conditions, underscoring how preexisting illnesses can amplify the danger posed by the virus.
The agency noted that Covid-19 often acted as a catalyst rather than the sole cause of death, pointing to cases where the virus contributed to respiratory failure or aggravated chronic diseases. Official counts attributed a portion of deaths directly to respiratory failure linked to the virus, while others reflected deterioration in preexisting illnesses after infection.
Current reporting also shows a significant number of serious Covid-19 cases across the country on the observed Saturday. The epidemic appears to be spreading widely, with a peak reached in early January, several weeks after restrictions were loosened. The health commission reported tens of thousands of serious cases during the period in question, illustrating the ongoing strain on healthcare systems.
There were days when the tally of serious cases reached around 128,000, followed by substantial counts in the following week, according to officials familiar with the data. Observers note that such figures reflect the dynamic nature of the outbreak and the challenges involved in measuring severity during rapid shifts in policy and behavior.
Observers both inside and outside China have questioned the reliability of official figures, especially in light of visible hospital pressure in many cities. While hospital admissions rose, some critics argued that mortality reporting might not fully capture the total impact of the outbreak. International health observers urge transparent reporting to enable informed global assessment and response.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, has emphasized that the exact death toll from the current phase of the epidemic is crucial for understanding its global reach. He called for transparent data sharing to avoid distortion and to facilitate accurate risk assessment worldwide.
China maintains that it has shared data in a timely and transparent manner and has asked for international cooperation while cautioning against the politicization of the pandemic. The government has also noted that travel requirements, including testing protocols, were designed to protect public health as travel resumed and regional activity increased.
In addition, a study from Peking University estimated that approximately 900 million people in China may have been infected following the withdrawal of the zero-Covid policy and the move toward looser controls. The scale of exposure is a reminder of the virus’s reach and the ongoing need to monitor health outcomes in the population.
While some experts anticipate the highest incidence to continue through February or March, there is a range of views about the trajectory of the outbreak. Analysts point to lingering uncertainty around case counts, hospital capacity, and the long-term impact on vulnerable groups. As the country navigates this stage, public health authorities stress the importance of ongoing surveillance, vaccination outreach, and clear communication to support informed decision-making both domestically and globally.